A middle-aged man, Philip Mutua Kilonzo, has been charged with taking a bribe of over KSh2.9 million from church and children’s home officials. 

Kilonzo appeared before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday, April 4 and denied the offenses.

He was released on bond after denying all the three counts, allegedly committed between October 1, 2020, and October 8, 2020. 

Kilonzo is accused of receiving the bribe with intent to influence the writing off of alleged tax due to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) from Grace Children’s Home. 

Additionally, he allegedly obtained KSh20,000 under false pretenses. 

According to a charge sheet seen by TV47 Digital, Kilonzo — on 4th October 2020 at Afro Sayari Hotel along Eastern Bypass — is said to have requested a bribe of KSh2.9 million from Joseph Ndambuki Makosi, Shadrack Mutisya Kyungu, Simon Kioko Mwangangi and Jackson Musyoka Mutie.

Makosi, Kyungu and Mwangangi, court documents say, are officials of United African Evangelical Ministries while Mutie is an official of Grace Children’s Home.

Apparently, the suspect told the victims that he would influence the writing off of alleged tax due to KRA from the children’s home.

The court also heard that on 1st October 2020 at Busia, the suspect intended to defraud by unlawfully obtaining KSh20,000 from Mwangangi purporting to be travelling expenses from Busia to Nairobi KRA offices to solve the tax issue.

Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki released him on a bond of KSh1 million with an alternative cash bail of KSh 700,000.

The matter is scheduled for mention on April 17 for pretrial purposes.